ABOUT US

Your Central Alberta SLP Team
Dedicated to Helping Kids Thrive

We proudly serve families throughout Red Deer and Central Alberta, offering speech therapy that’s fun, functional, and rooted in connection. Each team member is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where children feel safe, confident, and empowered to find their voice.

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    Paige O'Dwyer

    Director/Speech-Language Pathologist

    As the Owner and Director of Communication Options, I have the privilege of leading a team of dedicated and inspiring Speech-Language Pathologists and SLPAs who share my passion for our mission. Together, we are committed to empowering children with speech and language delays, recognizing that every child has a unique and important message to share. I am particularly passionate about partnering with parents to support their child's speech and language development through everyday routines and meaningful interactions. Seeing the progress families make together is incredibly rewarding and fuels my dedication to this work. By working closely with parents, I strive to create positive, everyday moments that help children reach their full potential and ensure their voices are heard.

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    Heather Beattie

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    I have been an SLP since 2010 and I love what I do. Collaborating with families and teachers to support the needs of children with communication challenges is something that I am very passionate about. Seeing the positive outcomes of our joint efforts is incredibly rewarding! I have a particular interest in the areas of preschool-aged stuttering, early language development and articulation/phonology. Supporting children as they become effective communicators is such a blessing!

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    Jodilyn Thibodeau

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    My name is Jodilyn Thibodeau; I have been a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist since 2011 and with Communication Options since 2012. I specialize in providing therapy to individuals with communication delays/disorders from birth to early elementary years including family/parent/caregiver training. I strongly believe in the efficacy of early intervention and am passionate in providing, motivating, play-based therapy while targeting speech and language needs. I have received continued education in the areas of parent and teacher training with Hanen approaches for play-based intervention, social thinking ideologies applicable to those individuals with social challenges, and motor speech therapy principles for kiddos with Childhood Apraxia of Speech or profound speech sound disorders. I am happy supporting individuals with communication difficulties and their families - I feel great joy increasing their ability to communicate effectively!

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    Gerri Macrae

    Speech-Language Assistant (SLPA)

    I have been working as a Speech Language Assistant since I received my degree in Linguistics in 2001. Since 2007, I have been part of the Communication Options team, working with Speech Language Pathologists to provide therapy to students in the schools with speech and language delays. In the past three years I have also enjoyed working in our Partners In Play program, providing play-based speech and language therapy for 3-4 years olds. It is a joy to work with students and families, and celebrate their successes with them. In addition to being a Speech Language Assistant, I also support the management of Communication Options as an administrative assistant.

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    Janice Wik

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    Hi, my name is Janice-Rose Wik, and I have been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2014. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Communication Options team since 2017. I obtained my degrees from Minot State University, in North Dakota, and now I live in Red Deer with my husband and two daughters. I provide services for a wide range of communication skills, and I particularly enjoy providing play-based therapy in the areas of speech sound disorders, fluency, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). I feel lucky to be able to help children gain the communicative skills and the confidence to express who they are and what they have to offer.

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    Eden Molineux

    Speech-Language Pathologist
    Partners in Play lead SLP

    I have enjoyed working as a speech-language pathologist in preschool and school settings since 2009. I love partnering with and empowering families and educators in meaningful and practical ways to help children develop and share their voices. I care about honouring all the ways children communicate. I enjoy every area of communication and have particular interests in supporting early language development, children on the Autism spectrum, and speech sound disorders. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to work in this field alongside children and families as they experience success.

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    Acacia DeSantis

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    I have been practicing Speech Language Pathology since 2016.  Prior to pursuing a career in speech and language, I received a Master of Music degree in opera performance and have performed in operas in Canada and Europe.  I was so excited to make the career change to SLP as these two professions marry so well together.  I am passionate about providing early intervention services to the 3-6 age population, especially those with severe speech sound needs.  Improving speech and language skills, and giving these young children a voice, is the best job in the world!

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    Elani Kruger

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    I obtained my degree in 2006 and moved to Canada in 2009. Since then, I have provided services in a variety of environments, from schools, to private practice, to hospital settings.  I have special interest in the area of tethered oral tissues (tongue tie) and early language development but truly love all things communication.  I feel privileged to provide services alongside this well rounded and accomplished team.

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    Carissa Anderson (Maternity Leave)

    Proud mom on leave. Returning fall of 2026.

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    Hi there, my name is Carissa Anderson, and I've been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2018. I obtained my degrees at the University of Alberta, and now live in Olds with my husband and our bulldog, Rosie. I am honored to work alongside this team of incredible SLPs as we get to support children, families, and their school teams along their communication journeys! I love to target speech sound, language and executive function goals through play-based activities.  Although I enjoy working in all areas of speech and language therapy, I have a special interest in Alternative and Augmentative Communication and supporting children with complex communication needs. 

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    Kiera Shwaluk

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    Hi! My name is Kiera Shwaluk and I am so excited to join the Communication Options team! I obtained my degree in speech-language pathology from Minot State University in 2025 and just made the move to Red Deer. Throughout my time at Minot I gained valuable experience working with clients across the lifespan on various communication goals. I enjoy all areas of communication but have a special interest in targeting speech sound disorders and social language skills. Helping individuals find their voice is a privilege and I am lucky to be able to work with and learn from this incredible team!

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    Jisa Mathew

    Speech-Language Pathologist 

    Jisa is a passionate and experienced Speech-Language Pathologist with a strong foundation in audiology and communication sciences. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Manipal University in India, completing her studies in 2015. Over the years, she has worked in a variety of settings, including child development centers, pediatric hospitals, and schools, supporting children with diverse communication needs.

    In 2022, Jisa expanded her expertise by completing the Autism and Behavioral Science Program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. This program deepened her understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and strengthened her ability to support children through evidence-based behavioral strategies.

    Jisa’s motivation for becoming a speech-language pathologist is deeply personal—she is a child of deaf adults (CODA), and her parents are non-speaking. This unique background instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for the power of communication and a desire to help others find their voice.

    She is multilingual and fluent in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, and English, allowing her to connect with families from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Jisa is committed to empowering children and families through compassionate, individualized care, and finds great joy in watching her clients grow and succeed.

Let’s Work Together to Support Your Child’s Communication Journey

Whether you're looking for speech therapy in Red Deer, FSCD support, or early intervention services, our team is here to help. Explore how we can work together to support your child’s growth and confidence.